Geophagus staple diet

[japes]

Evening guys and girls,

I've got a shoal of three Geophagus sp. Pindare on order and was wondering if their staple diet should vary at all from standard SA Cichlids?

I'm currently keeping Heroines and Acara in my 140, feeding them with a well varied diet of Hikari Staple, Hikari Cichlid Gold, mixed with chopped up Peas, Zuchini, Cucumber and the occasional earthworm/live bugs, and soon to be mealworms.

I've done a quick scout and can't really find any solid information on what Geophagus prefer to eat. Are they true omnivores, or are they more partial to a more vegetable based diet like Severums for example? Just curious to know whether my current fishes diet will be sufficient for them or whether it needs to be mixed up a little bit.

Cheers.

 

[titansfever83]

They are Ominvores. 'Pindare' in particular need a balanced diet but will eat anything you give them. Be careful to not feed any large food. Vitamin rich food is always a plus with 'Pindare'. As far as greens, scalded lettuce or spinach, cooked brussels sprouts, and even certain fruits like, apples or strawberries.


Sounds to me like your menu for your SAs are fine, but it never hurts to add new stuff to the mix.


Jamie

 

[japes]

They are Ominvores. 'Pindare' in particular need a balanced diet but will eat anything you give them. Be careful to not feed any large food. Vitamin rich food is always a plus with 'Pindare'. As far as greens, scalded lettuce or spinach, cooked brussels sprouts, and even certain fruits like, apples or strawberries.


Sounds to me like your menu for your SAs are fine, but it never hurts to add new stuff to the mix.


Jamie

Exactly what I was after, cheers mate. Does the type of lettuce matter? I've always avoided feeding my fish lettuce because from my experience with other animals, certain types like Iceberg are a big no-no.

 

[titansfever83]

I don't use lettuce cause my fish really don't like it that much. I know others use it quite often, but I just feed what my fish go nuts for.

Maybe others will chime in on the type they use.

 

[Dominuslive]

I prefer to feed Geos NLS that sinks. The smaller pellets can be picked up as they sift through the sand. NLS=New Life spectrum......just incase you didn't know. Most Geos are looking for smaller inverts as they sift through the sand.